Harmonizing music with faith, values, and spiritual growth
By Kristin Clark Taylor
A “Blessing.”
Mandie Lottes knows a blessing when she sees one.
Lottes, an elementary music teacher at Gilbert Christian Schools in Gilbert, Arizona, recently acquired a new resource in her classroom.
The name of the resource? QuaverChristian.
Lottes says she already knew the faith-based curriculum would bring benefits and blessings to her students before it even arrived in her classroom.
She was right.
As it turns out, Lottes had used QuaverMusic’s general music education curriculum earlier in her career, during her days as a public school teacher, and she clearly remembers how much she and her students loved it back then.
Today, as a Christian music educator, Lottes works hard to teach Christ-centered lessons to her students in ways that are relevant, topical, and engaging.
Lottes says she first learned about QuaverChristian while she was on social media. As part of a Facebook group for music teachers in Christian Schools, Lottes says she was thrilled when someone in the group mentioned the new resource.
“As soon as I heard about it,” she recalls with genuine excitement, “I went to my principal and asked if we could try it out.”
Since she had a history with Quaver and already had a first-hand knowledge of the general music curriculum, she was eager to give QuaverChristian a try, and she says her principal readily agreed to a trial.
Even within the first few days of having the faith-based resource in her classroom, she knew she’d made the right decision — and she’s been using it regularly ever since.
Says Lottes: “It’s turned out to be a blessing.”
What is QuaverChristian?
QuaverChristian is a K-5 curriculum comprised of ready-to-use songs, lessons, movement activities, and a variety of other student interactives designed to create biblical connections and reinforce core values.
The resource is both comprehensive and adaptable. Educators can choose to follow a full-year plan or customize each lesson based on their preferred theme or music style.
The faith-based curriculum offers 36 weeks of scaffolded lessons per grade, and the fully accessible content (including Spanish-language options) ensures that all students can experience God’s gift of music.
Engaging and Impactful
“I feel fortunate to have found my way back to Quaver – this time, with a Christ-centered focus,” Lottes says. “The songs and lessons really stick with my students – I hear them singing in the hallway!”
The dedicated educator says the QuaverChristian song, “Quick to Listen” is very helpful in reinforcing lessons about the importance of listening and speaking — and it’s a particular favorite with her students.
“They sing it all the time, and they’re constantly asking me to play it again and again!”
Clearly, Mandie Lottes understands that music is the golden thread that can create harmony between academic development, spiritual growth, and faith-focused values.
And the fact that she uses music – and QuaverChristian – as a way to weave all of these elements together is both a benefit and a blessing.
Kristin Clark Taylor is an author and an editor.
For more information on how to get Quaver into your school, visit QuaverEd.com/Christian.
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